New Energy Project for Solomon Islands

Solomon Is 16th Jul 2018 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $19.95 million project for the electricity access and renewable energy expansion for Solomon Islands.

The project will support the Solomon Islands’ government to boost renewable energy generation and increase access to grid-supplied electricity, while reducing reliance on expensive, imported fossil fuels.

More than 9,300 Solomon Islanders will benefit from new or improved electricity services, including renewable energy sources such as solar. The Electricity Access and Renewable Energy Expansion Project will deliver renewable energy hybrid mini-grids, electricity connections in low-income areas, and new grid-connected solar power.

The focus will be on providing electricity connections to households, small businesses, and community infrastructure such as schools and health centers, throughout Honiara and surrounding towns.

In Solomon Islands, less than 20 percent of the population has access to power supply, and when electricity is available, it is costly and unreliable. A stable supply of grid-based electricity has the potential to promote economic growth, including tourism industry development, and improve human capital, through better conditions for children to study, and reducing the burden of household work.

More on this story can be found here.

Credit: Solomon Times Online